Historic Welsh hotel rated 10/10 that is so beautiful it once enchanted Queen Victoria

Palé Hal in Llandderfel, near Bala, Gwynedd, is a picture-perfect country hotel that is fit for a king or queen. Having recently been sold, the new owners have ambitious plans to make the hotel even more regal.

Located in the tranquil Dee Valley, the grand, historic High Victorian mansion sits in an idyllic woodland garden that rolls down to the banks of the river. The spectacular Snowdonia National Park is just outside the doorstep, making it an ideal destination for comfort and culinary indulgence in a quiet corner of North Wales.

Last year, the AA Five Red Star, Relais & Chateaux destination luxury country house hotel was featured in the 2023 Top 50 Boutique Hotels list. A prestigious selection of the finest distinctive hotels from throughout the UK, the iconic list is curated and voted by leading industry experts, hoteliers, travel writers and influencers.

Queen Victoria spent ten days at Palé Hall in 1889. So enchanted was she by the house and its grounds that she changed her itinerary to extend her visit.

Back then, hers was the only room in the house that provided a bathroom with plumbing, but now guests can stay there and enjoy modern conveniences and warm Victorian decor.

The beautifully appointed Victoria Room

The hotel currently offers a further seventeen luxurious, individually styled bedrooms with sumptuous décor and beautifully appointed bathrooms, as well as four charming garden suites situated within the estate grounds.

Once owned by the Duke of Westminster, the hotel was sold by luxury estate agency Savills earlier this year. The identity of the new owners remains under wraps, but they have said that they want to add a “personal dimension” to the luxury hotel so they can display their collection of “exquisite and unusual artworks”.

Surrounded by approximately 50 acres of meticulously groomed gardens, the history of Pale Hall dates back to 1871 when it was constructed by Henry Robertson, a Scottish railway magnate. In the early 1950s the estate, which then spanned over 32,000 acres, was acquired by the Duke of Westminster primarily for its shooting privileges.

The new owners understand the importance of the location, they said: “At times the more remote the area, the more desirable and valuable the place can be to experience.”

The new proprietors have plans to open a second restaurant, allowing the hotel's chefs to experiment with more adventurous menus. They also intend to establish a holistic spa featuring an organic eatery area that utilises locally sourced and homegrown produce.

Planning permission has already been granted to convert two outbuildings into additional hotel rooms or to introduce new facilities such as a spa.

Pale Hall grounds

Pale Hall first opened its doors as a hotel in 1984, featuring original wooden panelling, elaborate ceilings, and period furniture. After falling into a state requiring extensive refurbishment, Alan and Angela Harper took over in 2015, pouring substantial investment into reviving the property's original Victorian splendour, reports Wales Online.

Regarded as one of the finest country house hotels in Britain, the sumptuous Victorian hotel was previously crowned the best hotel for a summer break in the UK by The Telegraph in 2022, outshining competitors such as Salcombe Harbour Hotel and Spa in Devon and Penally Abbey in Tenby. Awarded a perfect 10/10 in the Telegraph's top 50 hotels for a seasonal getaway, Pale Hall ensures that guests feel like royalty during their stay.

Adding to its list of achievements, Palé Hall's restaurant was awarded a Green Michelin Star in January 2021, becoming the first venue in Wales to receive this honour, as well as being crowned Wales' Leading Hotel at the World Travel Awards in 2022. The Snowdonia-based establishment has also previously featured in the European winners' Welsh section.

Guests who have spent time at Palé Hall have left five-star reviews on the website. One described it as "Divine! Luxurious with a warm family feel" while another simply called it "A truly exceptional hotel."

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